US County Housing Affordability

Mean adjusted gross income per return from IRS county-level tax data. Includes wages, capital gains, dividends, and business income. Tends to be higher than the Census median because top earners skew the average up.

Median household income from Census survey data. The midpoint — half of households earn more, half earn less. Better for understanding the typical household's situation; less sensitive to outliers.

Income after applying state income tax, local income tax (where applicable), and FICA (Social Security + Medicare). Assumes a single filer with standard deduction. Shows what a household actually takes home.

Self-reported estimated value of owner-occupied housing units. Not sale prices — covers only homes whose owners responded to the ACS survey.